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Canadian workers are less likely to have access to the Internet at work or have a smartphone - either their own or one provided by their employer - than workers in so-called "developing countries" such as China and India, according to survey results released Wednesday.

Surveys done by international staffing firm Randstad found 76 per cent of Canadian workers polled had access to the Internet at work. While that accounts for the vast majority, it was far less than in China and India, which were both at 93 per cent.

Other Asian countries also had high Internet rates at work; Japan was at 83 per cent, while Malaysia was at 89 per cent. Belgium had the lowest rate among the 32 countries measured at 66 per cent.

Randstad said employers that are deliberately restricting employees' access to the Internet at work should reconsider their policies.

"The use of email and the Internet has become an integral part of today's workplace," Stacy Parker, vice-president of marketing for Randstad Canada, said in a statement.

"They offer a great deal of benefits to corporations, such as improved communication among employees, improved customer support and research capabilities."

The survey found 13 per cent of Canadian workers polled were provided smartphones with email capability by their employers, while 47 per cent own their own smartphones.

In China, 84 per cent of respondents reported owning their own smart-phone, while 38 per cent said one was provided by their employer. In India, 71 per cent said they own their own smartphone while 52 per cent said their employer provides one for them.

The data were based on surveys Rand-stad did between Jan. 20 and Feb. 14 of people ages 18 to 65 working at least 24 hours a week in a position that's not considered self-employment in the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

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Asian workers better connected, survey finds

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